A/N: IT"S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY! Just wanted to say that.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 37

*Last Day of School*

The doors bust open as the senior class made their way out of our last classes.

"GOOD BYE HIGH SCHOOL I WON'T MISS YOU AT ALL!" Sam yelled as she walked out into the crowded hallway with me.

"Aw come on you won't miss anything about this place." I asked.

"Sorry Carls, not all of us are pro school like you; besides high school offered me more troubles than achievements." She said.

"Well it offered you something, after all you never thought you were going to college, and I haven't heard an official I'm not going from you yet." I said prying into her future plans. She hadn't told any of us what happened at the audition.

"Um, weren't you the one who suggested the whole, let's not talk about the future until after graduation. Hell, you're the one who came up with the pact we all swore on." She said back to me.

"That was to relieve any pressure everyone was feeling about having to take certain people into consideration when choosing colleges. Choose first worry about the rest later." I said as we made our last stop at our lockers. Just than Brad along with some of the other jocks walked by; we caught eyes for a second then broke them just as quickly as they were made. "Although even that has it implications," I finished.

Sam looked Brad's way than back at me. "Did I miss something?" She asked.

"It was too much and I didn't want to get into what with finals and senior activities going on.

"Get into what," She asked

"Brad came over a few days after your audition." I finally said.

"What," She said in shock., "You said that…"

"I know what I said. Everybody has been so busy in their own world I didn't want to trouble anyone." I said back.

"So, what happened," She asked.

*Flashback*

I was cleaning the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. I went over and answered the door and saw Brad standing there.

"Hey," I said opening the door to let him in. He walked through the door.

"Hey," he said back. "I'm sorry I didn't call before I showed up. I just think it's time for us to talk."

"Okay," I said sitting down. He sat down beside me. "Brad I am so…" I started but he cut me off.

"Carly don't its okay. I over reacted and never really gave you a chance to explain." He said. "And, for that I am sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I was just so worried of what you might think of me that I didn't even try to tell the truth really." I said back.

"Why not though? Carly had I ever given you a reason to doubt me?" He asked.

"You never had a chance to." I said back to him. "Brad the biggest issue in our relationship was what restaurant we were going to on a Friday. You constantly told me how perfect you thought I was, and how I could make no mistakes, but as soon as I did you flipped out. To be honest there were things about you that drove me crazy, but I ignored them. And, say what you want but you ignored my flaws too."

"What does that say to you huh?" I finished out. He sat there silent for awhile.

"I know," He said. "I only did because I never wanted to upset you."

"But, we are never going to be perfect, and it's okay to be disappointed in each other from time to time. It's normal. Hell if we can't do that than it's just a… a…"

"A relationship built on fabrication." He said.

"Now, I wouldn't say all that." I said back kind of taken back by what he said. "Brad, I love you."

"I do too, but Carly let's be honest. We haven't really been through anything, because we hid so much from each other. Now we're going off to college, and we both know we're going to be in separate states. Do you really think we're ready for that?" He asked.

"So, that's what you've been trying to get at this whole time?" I asked.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you. But, I also don't want to go off in this than something horrible goes down, and we can't be in the same room with each other anymore." He grabbed my hands and kissed them. " I don't want to be like Sam and Freddie were this whole break up. I rather face the problem now and be friends with you for the long haul."

I took a deep breath as I stood up and walked to the counter. "You're right…" I finally said. I felt like the tears could start any moment. "I don't think we're ready, and I don't want to risk our friendship."

He nodded his head and came over to me. Pulling me into what was going to be our last kiss. "Maybe after school we can see where we are." He said to me.

I nodded. "I'd like that." I said back and with one final hug he left my house.

*End of Flashback*

"Damn Carls, I'm sorry." She said back.

"Don't be, I mean at some point it was going to come out. I should've listened to you and done it myself. More importantly he had a point. Our relationship was based off a fairy tale. We both liked to believe our relationship was perfect, so we hid whatever bothered us and pretended everything was perfect. It blew up in our faces. We would've never lasted long distance."

"So, you are going to be in different cities after graduation?" Sam said back.

"Shut up," I said back. "Anyways what's going on between you and Freddie?"

"Nothing, I haven't seen Freddie in like weeks. I'm starting to think his avoidance of me is turning into straight disappearance.

"Eh, it's not just you. He's been working on his valedictorian speech. Hence he's been MIA. Wesley said he hasn't even been going to their weekly workouts. "I said back.

"Well, there goes the story of Freddie and Sam, another one without a proper ending." She said. I shook my head. "I guess it just wasn't meant to last."

"Or you could talk to him yourself." I said back to her.

"Nope I said what I wanted to say and he knows it. It's all in his hand now." She said. "And, all I've received from him is silence."

I shrugged my shoulders. I was in no place to be getting in the middle of someone elses relationship.

"I better get going my dad and Shelia should be here by now." She said.

"Oh what's your final count for the party tomorrow night?" I asked. We were having the joint party at my house.

"Um, I'll text you. Carter will be here for sure, he's coming in town with Dad them, and my Uncle Carmine got permission to go to the graduation but I'm not sure about the party."

"Wait, I thought he was in jail with no parole?" I asked.

"Yeah, he is… we know people, long story short he got a one day pass." I said back. "I'd tell you how, but I doubt you're capable of lying on the stand." She said back

I just nodded my head and watched her walk away. It was time to make my own way back home.

"Spencer," I yelled out as I walked through the door.

"Hey kiddo," He said coming from down the stairs.

"What were you doing?" I asked.

"Just getting the room ready for granddad," He said back. "What's up?"

"Spence I feel bad that dad can't make it." I said back. I had been bummed since we got the call. Dad was denied temporary leave.

"I know kiddo, but if you got that code than at least he'll get to stream it from over seas." HE said.

"It's not the same thing. Daddy has missed a lot of things Spencer, and I never complained, but this is my graduation." I said burying my head into the nearest pillow on the couch. I felt him pat my back.

"That's exactly what I told them, when I appealed the denial." I heard come from over by the stairway.

I slowly lifted my head and turned. My father still wearing his uniform was standing on the staircase looking at me with a smile. "DADDY," I yelled as I struggled to get around the obstacles standing between me and my dad.

I ran into his arms and felt like I could never let go. "I'm sorry baby girl." He said as we hugged. "I know I'm not around much, but I could never miss this." He said with a stroke of my cheek. "I love you."

"Love you too daddy." I said. All of a sudden I was feeling much better about everything.

*Graduation Day*

*Sam's POV*

"MOM, ITS 11:00 I HAVE TO BE THERE BY 12:30, AND NOBODY IN THIS DAMN HOUSE IS READY!" I yelled as I paced the living room floor

"WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE SAM!" Was all mom said in return.

I groaned as I went into the kitchen, where Sheila was feeding R.J. "You know you could drive yourself. We don't all have to arrive at the same time." She said.

"Mom and Dad said it's important to the family that we all show up together." I said back.

"They'll get over." She said back. I sat next to her. "What's wrong you've been kind of strange."

"Nothing, just nervous." I said back to her. "Tonight we make the college announcements, and everything will kind of be set in stone no turning back." I said back to her.

"Are you worried about your own decisions or hearing all your friends choices?" She asked.

"Both, I mean this is our last summer together, and I hang out with some smart people no telling where everyone is going." I said back to her.

"But, if your friendship is as strong as you say, your friendship will survive all. There is nothing to worry about." She said.

I nodded my head. "That's I'm outta here, I'll see you guys there."

I got up to the arena on time. When I walked in I saw all my friends in a huddle. I walked over to them and jumped on to Gibby's back.

"Hey Sam," they all greeted. I looked over at Freddie and he looked at me before looking another way. I hopped off and went to sit by Jessica and Carly.

"Are you ready to walk?" Jess asked me leaning her head on my shoulder.

"I'm ready to get this over with." I said back.

"Guys this is it." Tasha said.

"Yeah, after tonight we might not all be together again for awhile." Brad said throwing an arm over Freddie and Gibby's shoulders.

"Don't talk like that." I said back. "We still have a whole summer. I mean besides vacations and stuff."

"Okay let's make a promise. No matter what all happens and where we all go for vacation and other plans. One week before we all have to leave, no matter who leaves first. We'll spend one night last night together." Carly said.

We all nodded in agreement.

"Alright graduates, it's time to take your places." Principal Franklin stated. We all stood up and headed to our different spots.

I however, headed to Franklin. "I wanted to thank you Principal Franklin." I said as we prepared to line up.

"For," He said back.

"For not giving me the 'one foot out of line and you're out of here' speech," I said back. "You were one of the first people I felt like truly believed in me, and no matter what happened you never gave up on me."

He smiled, and patted me on my back. "Sometimes that's all you really need is a fresh start Sam. I was glad to give it to you." He said back handing me a stack of papers.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Your mentor completion papers; congratulations Sam, you are legally completely off the hook. Just don't forget to turn them in on Monday. Now go get in line. You have to graduate." He finished.

I nodded and headed to my spot in line.

The music started and we made our way into the arena. I looked up and saw my family, and my Uncle Carmine's prison guard. I waved as I continue to walk to my seat. Not far from them I saw all the boys family sitting together, that included Freddie's grand parents they waved at me, and Leanna blew me a kiss.

After we made it to our seats Principal Franklin took the stand. We sung all the necessary songs, and the key note speaker made her speech. Who knew that graduations were so damn boring, the only excitement was when Gibby and a few other jocks decided to through some beach balls out into our rolls. Of course that didn't last long before the staff got a hold to them.

Right after that Carly made her Salutatorian speech. After she was finish she announced Freddie. Freddie gave her a hug and took his place at the podium. He took a deep breath and began.

"Fellow graduates, staff, and guest, I would like to start off by first saying Congratulations Class of 2014 we did it." Freddie started pausing as everyone clapped and hollered. "For weeks now I have tried to find the perfect topic and words to speak about on this joyous day. I changed my speech numerous times and agonized every time the words did not pan out the way I wanted them too. It was then that I realized that my speech was a lot like life. There was toss and turns, unexpected surprises moments when it just really sucked, and times when I find the perfect solution to one problem, but it meant hurting another part."

"This year has been an adventure for us all. Many of us have agonized about the future, been accepted and rejected to an assortment of colleges, experienced heart breaks and new love. Most of it was unexpected because in life certainties aren't promised. Yeah, sure here at Ridgeway we followed a routine. It's expected after four years of school here, we knew which of the staff would give the most homework, or that every Thursday Miss Briggs would play her bag pipes for class. It was the little things in our home lives and relationships with each other that changed. Those little things that upset us and made us happy, were what we needed to get those life lessons that are required for everyday living. The times that we felt like everything couldn't get worse and it did was preparing us for a life outside of these walls."

"Now here we are, we're heading out to a new world. Where we have to readjust to the new things that come in this new territory; apart of that is understanding that life will not always turn out the way we want. That readjusting is a part of life we're going to have to accept and possibly the hardest lesson in life because when things do not go the way we want it sucks. Are attitude towards the issue is what makes it good or bad. Are attitude towards life and school has defined our personalities and school life."

"We're all getting a chance to start fresh and make life what we want to be. Whether it's starting over in school applying yourself better to aim higher, or finding something that you really enjoy doing versus whatever one around you aspects you to do," He started. Then he turned his attention straight towards me. "Or to fall in love with someone all over again," He finished before turning his attention back to the audience in general.

"Whatever you do and wherever your journey may lead you remember don't aim for perfection aim for excitement, joy, and success."

Everyone stood and hollered for Freddie after he finished. Principal Franklin came up and handed him his diploma, causing more hooting and hollering. Carly, who was the salutatorian, moved from her seat on stage and joined Principal Franklin receiving her diploma as well.

Not long after them we all began to line up and we all received our diplomas. One by one we were called.

"Samantha Joy Puckett," Principal Franklin. I looked over at my family as my name was called. My mom looked as if she was ready to jump out of the bleachers and hug me at any moment, but she settled for crying. "Congratulations Sam, you did it." I couldn't help, but to hug the only principal and mentor that ever gave me a real chance.

After we all received our diplomas we all stood up. "Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you Ridgeway High graduating class of 2014" He said causing us to hoot and holler. We through our caps to the sky, just as Freddie signaled one of his A/V buddies. All of a sudden with a push of a button orange and blue confetti and balloons fell from the sky.

I looked up at Freddie and smiled. He winked back in response, maybe there was more to our story after all.

A/N: So Carly and Brad represented the perfect couple in high school, often because secrets masked the relationship, that wasn't meant to last outside of high school. At least, not right after high school, we'll see how they feel later on. And shout out to any valedictorians out there reading this, that speech shit is not easy, so sorry if it made no sense at all.

Alright 3 chapters to go and this story will be finished. Stay tuned for what's to come!